Trek Fee₹ 20500$ 400+ 5% GST |
View Dates & Register |
Trek Fee₹ 20500$ 400+ 5% GST |
View Dates & Register |
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TREK DIFFICULTY Easy - Moderate |
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TREK DURATION 7 days |
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HIGHEST ALTITUDE 13,800 Feet | ![]() |
GROUP SIZE 6-12 People | |
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TOTAL TREK DISTANCE 75 KM | ![]() |
BASECAMP kashmir | |
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BEST TIME July to September | ![]() |
PICKUP POINT Kashmir |
+ 5% GST | + Rs 180 Trek Insurance
Inclusions and Exclusions, Scholarships & waivers, Cancellation policy
Though each day of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is a special day in itself, we are defining some of the main attractions during the trek. Here are the alpine lakes, enchanting meadows, mountain peaks and high altitude passes that are located on the trek route.
After crossing the Nichinai pass, beautiful lakes can be seen every day. Vishansar and Krishnansar come after crossing the Nichinai pass, Gadsar and Satsar Lake are visible after crossing the Gadsar pass and Gangbal and Nandkul lakes are visible after crossing the Zaj Pass. Apart from this, many small lakes are visible along with these big lakes. These lakes are very important for Kashmiri Hindus as well as the shepherds living here, aquatic animals of the lake and wild animals and birds living around. Their water is clean and drinkable. During the night halt, for food and other needs, we supply water from these huge freshwater lakes but without spreading any dirt and pollution. Such a large surface of these lakes presents a beautiful view with beautiful reflections of the surrounding peaks which really captivates the heart of the trekkers. All these lakes change color depending on the sun, clouds and time of the day. Moreover, all the lakes are surrounded by lush green meadows; hence, it becomes an ideal place for the local shepherds to graze their flock of sheep and goats. Away from the lake we also get to see the camps of the shepherds whose lifestyle makes our trekking experience even better and we understand the difference between camping for a few days and camping for a few months. During winters the lake freezes and when summers and monsoons arrive, the lush green meadows around the lake present a truly amazing sight. At this time the water of the lake becomes clear although some pieces of ice are still seen floating. All the names of lakes visible during the trek are mentioned below-
Other Small Lakes:
Watch the photographic video to see the scenery around the trail, Vishansar Lake, Krishnasar Lake and Gadar Pass-
The passes are some of the main attractions of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek which offers a total of 3 high altitude passes namely Nichinai Pass, Gadsar Pass and Zaj Pass. What makes the experience of these passes wonderful is that each pass has a different view around the trek route and different terrain sections are seen upon crossing them.
Along with the lakes, the grasslands also add to the beauty of this place. These bugyals are so mesmerizing that you would like to stay there forever under the open sky. These high altitude grasslands add to the beauty of the Great Lakes Trek. Every day of the Trek, you are going to discover different grasslands of every size and shape. It is so spectacular that trekkers feel more satisfied in capturing these sights with their eyes than with a camera. There are lush green grasslands, which are green, these are the Sheikhdur grasslands, which are surrounded by Bhoj trees and in some valleys, while crossing the path, you will also find maple and pine trees. This trek lets you explore the vibrant colours of the alpine flora that combined with the crisp mountain air create a calming atmosphere that soothes the soul.
The Kashmir Great Lake trek is a moderate to difficult trek. This trek demands a long day of walking so be prepared mentally as well as physically. You have to cover 75 km in just 7 days. Here are some of the challenges and factors that make it a moderate to difficult trek in terms of difficulty.
During the Trek, trekkers have to walk about 12 kms per day, which can be difficult for some trekkers. This long journey feature of this trek is great for experienced trekkers but can be challenging for beginners. This daily long journey cannot be reduced because all the alpine lakes are located at a certain distance from each other and the passes that come during the trekking require almost a full day of hiking program to cross them and rest after that, otherwise more than two days will have to be included to cross each pass and a new alpine lake will be seen every two days. In this case, the total trek duration directly doubles and the total cost of the package will also increase a lot.
In Kashmir Great Lakes, you will be hiking up and down every day. While these ascents and descents help in acclimatization, but the trail takes you to 13,100 ft (Nichinai Pass) on the second day itself which increases the chances of AMS and breathing problems more than acclimatization.
Though the passes are naturally ascended and then descended, but these passes during the trek are described separately due to their special nature.
The starting point of the Trek is Shitkadi Point located near Sonmarg and from Shitkadi to Nichinai Camp is a 6 to 7 hour trek for acclimatization, however gaining more than 900 m of altitude in a single day may be a bit difficult for beginners. Next day trekkers have to climb up to Nichinai Pass and gain more than 1200 m of altitude in these two days. Some trekkers may be affected by AMS at Nichinai pass but to minimize this effect we do not stay for long at this point and immediately descend down the valley towards Vishansar Lake.
This is the toughest part of the trek and has to be crossed on the fourth day of the trek. The climb is of about 40 degrees and takes about 2 to 3 hours to cross. This is where the physical fitness of the trekkers is really tested. Also, problems like breathing problems and AMS are most common in this part as trekkers reach a height of 4,210 m. However, by the fourth day you will be acclimatized to a great extent, so there is no need to panic too much.
This is the second-last day of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. On the way to Zaj Pass, you have to cross boulders, and you will find a 40-minute long section filled with huge boulders. Also, there is no path, so overall it creates a great challenge that can be tiring for some trekkers. If you're not at your wits' end or mentally prepared, it can be even more difficult for you.
Monsoon season is the best time to do the Kashmir Great Lakes Trail as the region receives very minimal amount of rainfall during monsoon season. Here is a detailed description of how this trek will be in different months of monsoon-
Most people prefer to do this Trek in July as it is cloudless and the surroundings are more visible. By July, the snow on the passes melts to a large extent and the valleys below the passes are colourful with a variety of flowers blooming.
In August it is preferred for those who like to trek with light drizzling rain. By this time, the monsoons have fully arrived in the valley and one can enjoy shower type rains many times during the trek. The surrounding valleys look like a paradise when the blooming flowers and the soft green grasslands are covered with a light mist and you will be so excited to see this that you will start thinking of staying here for a longer time. You will find some frozen pieces of ice in the lakes. The mountains and lakes naturally look very dramatic at this time.
If you go for Kashmir Great Lakes Trek in the month of September, then you are probably one of those trekkers who love to enjoy the clear blue skies, cool weather and the spectacular reflection of the mountains in the lakes. In this month, the clouds clear and you can see the reflection of the clear sky in the lakes, which makes the lakes even more clear and sparkling. The whole view will make you feel refreshed and prove to be heart touching. Though the trek is open only till mid-September, after that the snow starts falling on the passes, making the trail almost impossible for mules to walk on, the supplies of logistics and camping equipment are carried through these mules.
Reaching the base camp of the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is easy, and you have several options to choose from based on your preference and convenience. Here's a simple guide to help you figure out the best way to reach the base camp:
By Air |
The nearest airport to the base camp is Srinagar International Airport (also known as Sheikh ul-Alam Airport). This airport is well connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Once you land at the airport, you can either take a taxi or a pre-arranged shuttle (depending on your budget) to Sonamarg, which is the starting point of the Kashmir lake trek. The drive from Srinagar Airport to Sonamarg is about 80 kilometers and usually takes around 3 to 4 hours, but this can vary depending on the weather and road conditions. |
By Road |
If you prefer a road trip, Sonamarg is easily accessible by road from Srinagar. It is about 80 kilometers away, and the journey takes around 3 to 4 hours. You can either drive yourself or hire a taxi from Srinagar. The route is totally scenic and offers breathtaking views of the Kashmir Valley. So, you can enjoy a pleasant drive with your companions. But road conditions and traffic might affect your travel time, so check it frequently. |
By Railway |
The nearest railway station to the Kashmir Great Lakes trek is Jammu Tawi Railway Station, which is in Jammu. And, Jammu is well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, so you can easily catch a train from anywhere in India to reach Jammu. Once you arrive in Jammu, you have two options to reach the base camp: you can either take a direct bus or hire a taxi to drive you to Sonamarg. The journey by road from Jammu to Sonamarg will take a few hours. |
From July to mid-September, the weather is most favorable for trekking in the narrow trails. In July, you will experience warmer temperatures ranging from 15°C to 20°C during the day and cooler nights around 5°C to 10°C. The snow on the higher mountains still remains, while the meadows below are in full bloom with vibrant summer flowers.
Then, by August, temperatures cool down slightly, ranging from 12°C to 18°C during the day and 4°C to 8°C at night. The flowers begin to fade as the weather becomes cooler, but the misty surroundings will create a magical atmosphere for you. And when September begins, the temperatures drop further to 10°C to 15°C during the day and 2°C to 5°C at night. The weather is crisp, with clear skies. Though snow begins to cover the higher reaches, and this marks the end of the trekking season.
When trekking the Kashmir Great Lakes, safety should always be a top priority. Here are some important safety factors to keep in mind during the high-altitude trekking:
Here are the essentials you need to include in your backpack for the trek:
Essentials |
Descriptions |
Included/Excluded in Package (T&C) |
Food | High-energy foods not heavy in weight. energy bars, fruited meat rolls, freeze-dried beverages, and snacks | Included |
Water | Hydration systems or water bottles are useful for providing sufficient water during the trek. Especially on the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek | Included |
Sleepwear | Sleeping bags for cold temperatures and commonly used in areas that have a rating of sub-zero. | Included |
Shelter | Tents or portable shelters because of the weather while in the course of a camping activity. | Included |
Clothing | Outfits that ensure you are warm in Himalayan Treks. Appropriate weather apparels such as moisture transporting warmer wears, and raincoats. Be fully prepared with essential clothing when going on a Himalayan trek. | Excluded |
Cooking Kit | Small and light weight stoves and fuel, cooking vessels and utensils. | Included |
Guide | The guide's profile includes activities such as leadership, safety, information sharing, pace setting, encouragement, environmental stewardship, logistics coordination, and clear communication | Included |
Survival Equipment | Mainly consists of a First-Aid-Kit, rope, oxygen cylinders, and other gear useful in an emergency circumstance | Included |
Navigation | Tools like maps in details, compass, or any GPS devices for the purpose of providing navigation or even planning of routes | Included |
Personal Medications | Trekkers should carry personal medications and inform the guide about any diseases before starting the trek. | Excluded |
Flashlight | Portable lights such as headlamps or torches for when it is at night or any other poorly illuminated environment. | Included |
To overcome the difficulty level of KGL Trek, it requires strong cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and overall fitness. Incorporate these exercises into your routine to increase strength, stability, and stamina, which will help you tackle the difficult terrain of the trail at high altitudes.
The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek route map showcases the enchanting trail through the kashmir Himalayas, leading to the picturesque trek. The map highlights the breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and lush meadows, offering a captivating adventure for trekkers and nature enthusiasts alike.
In total, there are 6 beautiful lakes that you will witness during the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. All these 6 lakes are Alpine Lakes located in the High Altitude Himalayan mountains. The name of the Lakes of KGL trek are as follows: Vishansar Lake (Vishnusar Lake) Krishansar Lake Gadsar Lake Satsar Lakes Gangabal Lake Nundkol Lake
Himalaya Shelter